Literature
circles are student lead discussions that revolve around a book.
Students work in groups to discuss books of their choice, taking on
roles to help facilitate the work. Below are links that give
you information on literature circles, the components, and how to
begin to implement it in your own classroom.

Benefits of
Literature Circles

1.
Help you to teach-not merely check- comprehension.

2.
Allows you to teach many facets of comprehension.

3.
Encourage students to learn from one another.

4.
Motivate students naturally.

5.
Promote discussion more effectively than whole groups.

From
Moving Forward with Literature Circles

Typical Schedule for
One-Hour Session

Student preparation: ONGOING
The students prepare for literature circles by reading
agreed-upon chapters and writing a prediscussion entry
in their journals OR filling out a role sheet.

Teacher Directions/Minilesson (5-10 minutes)

Small-Group Discussion (15-25 minutes)

Journal Writing (5-10 minutes)

Whole
Group Debriefing (15-20 minutes)

Eleven Key Ingredients

1. Students choose
their own reading materials.
2. Small temporary groups are formed based on book
choice.
3. Different groups read different books.
4. Groups meet on a regular, predictable schedule to
discuss their reading.
5. Kids use written or drawn notes to guide both their
reading and their discussion.
6. Discussion topics come from the students.
7. Group meetings aim to be open, natural conversations
about the book.
8. Teacher serves as facilitator, not group member or
instructor.
9. Evaluation is by teacher observation and student
self-evaluation.
10. A spirit of playfulness and fun pervades the room.
11. When books are finished, readers share with their
classmates, and then new groups are formed around new
reading choices.

From Literature
Circles: Voice & Choice

How
to Use Literature Circles in the Primary Grades

Teachers in K-3 can
use literature circles!! You just need to make some
modifications for it to work in your classroom, such as: